U.S. Jobless Claims Edged Lower Last Week

Initial claims, a proxy for layoffs across the U.S., decreased by 1,000

WASHINGTON—The number of Americans filing applications for new unemployment benefits fell last week, the latest sign of a historically tight labor market.

Initial jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs across the U.S., decreased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 214,000 in the week ended Nov. 3, the Labor Department said Thursday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expected 210,000 new claims last week. Claims for the previous week were revised up by 1,000 to 215,000.